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Area school systems say safety is priority

Districts reassure parents

Police in the Louisville metro area are keeping a closer watch on schools as kids return to the classroom.

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Area school systems say safety is priority

Districts reassure parents

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Updated: 7:29 PM EST Dec 17, 2012

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Police in the Louisville metro area are keeping a closer watch on schools as kids return to the classroom.

Friday's shootings left a Connecticut community in shock and parents across the nation wondering if it could happen where they live.

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Across the area, school districts said the No. 1 priority is making students, staff and parents feel safe.

Many metro schools will review security plans this week, while counselors will be on hand to help with the emotional aftermath.

Louisville Metro Police officers are visiting each school Monday to touch base about their security and address any concerns.

The Jeffersontown Police Department has increased patrols near schools in the city.

"Sure, it could happen anywhere, and that community is similar in size to Jeffersontown, so it could happen here," said Jeffersontown Police Chief Richard Sanders.

Sanders said he and Jeffersontown Mayor Bill Dieruf received several calls from worried parents on Friday asking them what they were going to do to keep their children safe.

"What we're going to do is Monday become even more vigilant in schools," Sanders said. "We're not expecting any problems. We don't think there will be any issues, but if there is potential for a copycat to try to do something like that, we want to make sure that we're more present in the schools."

Sanders added he wants his officers to take a more proactive approach, especially when it comes to addressing violence.

"But it doesn't end there," he said. "It takes an effort from everybody. The community, the police, courts, corrections, psychologists. We all have to work together to do something about this."

Both the Jeffersontown police and schools have plans in place to respond to an active shooter situation. But Sanders and Dieruf want to meet with all the principals after the first of the year.

"We train regularly on what to do if we have an active shooter," Sanders said, "The schools train what to do if they have an active shooter. What we want to do is work with the schools and train together."

While no amount of practice can truly prepare a school for an event such as the one on Friday, Jeffersontown officials want parents to know they are taking the issue seriously.

"We will do everything in our power to make sure their kids are safe and their kids come home," Sanders said.

There is currently one armed resource officer at Jeffersontown High School. Jeffersontown officers visit the six other schools in the community periodically.

Jeffersontown High School Principal Marty Pollio said counselors are available for students and staff will be out in the hallways watching closely.

“As always, we work diligently on school safety we really want to make sure our students feel safe and secure in the school buildings so we'll continue to do that and even step it up through the upcoming weeks,” Pollio said.

All Jefferson County Public Schools have plans in place in case of an active shooting situation and practice emergency drills throughout the year.

“That was something they learned in Connecticut, was so many lives were saved because so many of the teachers and the staff and the children knew what to do when they heard the gunshots and when they heard that there was an emergency in the building. Our children are prepared the same way,” said Carol Montgomery with JCPS school resources.

Some parents were uneasy Monday, but others said they were comfortable with what the schools have done to protect their children.

“It's a freak crazy thing. I mean, the rarity of that has to be remembered, that this isn't something that happens every day all the time. This is a very weird out of the nowhere kind of event,” said kindergarten parent Ken Parael-Sewell.

One elementary principal said she just wanted to make Monday as normal as possible for her students.

A safety forum is being held at Oldham County High School Monday evening. It’s something Oldham County did following the Columbine shooting years ago, a chance for anyone with questions or concerns to speak up.

Three more safety forums will also be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at North Oldham High School, at 1:30 p.m. at East Oldham Middle School and at 6 p.m.at South Oldham High School.

At Louisville's Catholic schools, the Archdiocese sent teachers and parents tips from the National Association of School Psychologists on how to talk to kids.

Superintendents from Oldham County and Bullitt County emailed parents assuring them the schools are safe.